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Published on 09/14/1998 All articles from this issue

San Luis neighborhood anxious about sex offender

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue

Town Crier Staff Writer

San Luis Avenue residents reacted immediately when they learned a registered sex offender, who was allegedly seen peeping into a Palo Alto home, lived in their neighborhood.

The story that appeared in the Sept. 15 Palo Alto Daily News gave the name and street of the offender. In compliance with county law enforcement policy and to discourage vigilantism, the Town Crier is not including this information.

"When I read this, I couldn't finish my hamburger," said a concerned father of two who lives on the street behind San Luis.

He cut out the article and made a stack of copies, highlighting in yellow the street name. Then he set out that afternoon to notify the San Luis neighborhood, leaving a leaflet at every door.

A resident in the neighborhood said traffic was heavy that evening with cars cruising back and forth.

The issue came up at the Springer School PTA meeting that night, a parent reported. Parents were advised, "Somebody's out there. Proceed with caution," the parent said.

Sgt. Mark Macaulay said the Los Altos Police Department received six phone calls immediately after the leaflets appeared.

"The primary concern of the callers was, 'Are my kids safe?'" Macaulay said.

"Given that his (the suspect's) prior conviction (sexual battery) is not related to children," Macaulay said, "I cannot say for certain that the pattern won't change." But there seems to be little risk to children, he said.

Los Altos police decided against any further disclosure in the San Luis area, Macaulay said. The suspect "is not a high risk offender. And his offense in the past does not show a pattern" warranting the disclosure, Macaulay said.

He confirmed that the suspect moved to Los Altos between January and July and that the police have been out to his house on two occasions, "for weed abatement and for a disturbance," Macaulay said.

The suspect is on the Megan's Law CD-ROM of registered sex offenders but without a picture, Macaulay said. Megan's Law is named for a little girl in New Jersey who was killed by a convicted sex offender.

Five residents came to the police station last Thursday to view the CD. Before the leaflets went out, one person was scheduled to see the CD.

"If people have concerns, come in and look at the CD," Macaulay said.

Viewing is on Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. A person may spend 15 minutes looking at the disk. For an appointment, call 948-8223.